The bill amends Section 16-6I-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, specifically revising the definitions related to the eligibility of principals and assistant principals for annual stipends under the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act. Key insertions include a detailed definition of "Assistant Principal," which specifies that this role encompasses individuals certified for the position and employed full-time to assist the principal in managing a public school. Additionally, the definition of "Principal" is expanded to include similar positions such as Career and Technical Education Building Administrators and Alternative School Administrators, emphasizing their responsibilities in overseeing operations and supervising teachers at standalone facilities.

The bill also modifies the definitions of "High-Poverty School" and "Low-Performing School." The new definition of "High-Poverty School" now requires a direct certification of free and reduced federal lunch student percentage of 75% or greater, removing the previous criteria related to community eligibility provisions. The definition of "Low-Performing School" is updated to exclude references to Targeted Support and Improvement Schools and other classifications, focusing instead on schools identified as Comprehensive Support and Improvement Schools or those receiving a D or F grade according to the Alabama Education Report Card. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-6I-2
Enrolled: 16-6I-2